The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-06-02
MOORE SCOTCHMEN.
SANFORD HIGH SCHOOL CLOSING
EXERCISES.

A Pleasant Short Trip to Moore Coun-
ty---They are Il Clever and Generous
People.
Editorial Correspondence.
SANFORD, N. c., May 81, 1897.
"A chiefs among We takin' notes
An faith he'll prent it. t.'-BURNS.
Bancroft says: 1.-THE first voice publicly
raised in America to dissolve all connec-
ton with Great Britain came from the
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians." If later
Bancroft should write the history of North
Carolina for the century that has followed
the Revolutionary war, he would say that
among the men who have labored and
toiled to make North Carolina prosperous
in an industrial sense, none have excelled
the Scotch Irish, and the Scotch. No more
important factor has entered into the de-
velopment of North Carolina than the
Scotch character. Among the earliest set
tiers, pouring into the state, before and
soon after 1900, the Scotch settled mainly
in the Cape Fear country, and the glorious
army of Macs and the other clans of these
high and low landers have, during all the
years of their residence, been among the
best of the States population. These in
dustrious aud frugal people brought the
Bible with them and they taught their
children the truths of Holy Writ as well
as the three Rs. The Scotch believe in
education, and early established schools.
So well reared were they in the Bible and
the doetriUes of their church, that in 1855
Rev j. Mcleod said '!he would rather
preach to the most polished and fashiona-
BILE congregation in Edinburgh than to the
little critical carls of Barbecue" This was
eleven years after large colonies of the
Scotch came to North Carolina. In 1745
occurred the ''bloOdy rout Of Culloden."
OF the captured ciansinen nineteen out Of
the doomed one was decided by lot, and
upon taking the oath Of allegiance the
others were allowed to be transported to
America North Carolina especially the
Cape Fear country-became the home of
the oppressed. and hundreds Of them
made their homes Oh the rich banks of
that beautiful stream. They increased in
numbers and settled in the adjoining coun
ties
Here, in this town, surrounded by
Macs, much could write abpur thR Scotch
man.
"A nation famed for song and beauty's
charms;
Jealous yet modest; innocent though free
Patient of toll; serene amid alarms:
lnfieNlbIe IN faith: lnVlnclDle in arms. ~
But the history Of the industry, and
their love of country, and their devotion
to Education and Religion, are a part Of
the history of North Carolina.
The closing exercises of Sanford High
School, took place to-day. There Was
large attendance of the substantial far
population. and delegation from Jones
boro An attractive programme had been
arranged and it was we'll rendered. Some
of the original speeches showed talent of
a high order. One of the speeches was
good enough for a University graduate
The music, both instrumental and solo,
was good and much enjoyed The dia
logues and recitations We're A / many of
them being laughable. The principal of
this school is Prof. John E. Kelly.
Prof. Kelly is man of unusual power,
and men of far inferior ability have been
called to much higher positions. He is an
honest nan, a thorough Christian, modest
and retiring; yet fearless and independent,
nd icip 70 ba,
IN school work or elsewhere.
When, about fourteen years ago, he
graduated with high honors from David
son College, the recommendations given
him by the Davidson Faculty secured him
many offers to teach-several at salaries
from 81 900 to 81 200 in other States, but
he accepted the offer made him in his ma
tive county of Moore at a much smaller
salary. There is not man hardly in Moore
county who can not tell you with what en-
ergy and patriotism he has since labored
in his good old county. | was told by
competent judge that he had given more
poor boys an opportunity to get an educa-
ton than any man who had ever lived in
the county, and what is better: he inspires
his boys with manly independence and
a determination to succeed
He as prepared more boys for College
than any teacher who ever lived in the
county. These young men have gone
principally to the University where they
have stood always and without an excep
ton, above the average, and IS per cent.
of them have taken medals. don't think
there has been a commencement at the
University since 1879, that one at least of
ssKelly's boys" has not carried off /; medal
and other honors
Those who have gone to Davidson and
other colleges have done him equal credit
A man who has done so much for his
county and State certainly deserves to be
better known and it is because of this that
| have written so minutely of the honest
work of this honest man.
A day is coming when Moore county
will be proud that she has reared and been
honored by such man and such teacher
as John f. Kelly. If his county will stand
by him as he has by it, he will add to his
own and his county's good reputation
throughout the State, and we believe it